Bristol sound and vision 2018

You are right. But it's not about getting the exact release date but more a timeframe or a hint of information. I'm close to buy a Naim Nova, but would rather like to buy a NAC-N 272 successor + NAP 250 DR. Sadly I think we have to wait until 2019 that a NAC-N 272 will be released. That would be too long to wait for me. So I just can hope for some information after Bristol Show 2018.

That’s a tough one Naim have probably learnt their lesson and will not say much if anything.....and dealers would rather sell you a Nova now. Any hint of a new 272 or NDS will kill sales this year or even next.....until launch. So I think we will end up hearing about ND555 only, hope I am wrong.

I went to an invited Forum member's presentation of the new Unitis in Nov 2016 at the factory. No one would be drawn into even the existance of a NDS replacement at the time (nor the ND555) but it was a fair assumption something was on it's way. I decided to wait it out with the chance it could be several years, I'd already ordered a Core and bought a Rega DAC as a stop gap while I waited, I could have kept using the CDX2 but was keen to get everything ripped and the CDs out of the lunge (to make space for vinyl, something I still haven't managed, though they are all ripped).

If you don't buy a Nova what do you have?

@naim can anyone tell me which of the Naim locations at the show (there are several) will be selling tickets for the closed dems please?

Hi, we will not be holding any closed demonstrations this year but you will be able to find us at the following locations:

Matthew Suite on the lower ground floor - Naim Uniti Nova and Focal Kanta 
Executive Lounge on Terrace Floor - Naim 500 Series system 
Terrace 1a and 1b - Naim streaming area 
Brunel Suite - Focal headphones 

We look forward to seeing you there!

More info: https://www.naimaudio.com/even...ion-the-bristol-show

That's a change from the last few years and will take the pressure off getting in early (nothing worse than arriving at 10 to find the first available ticket is for 3pm!)

Thanks and see you Saturday!

yeti42 posted:

I went to an invited Forum member's presentation of the new Unitis in Nov 2016 at the factory. No one would be drawn into even the existance of a NDS replacement at the time (nor the ND555) but it was a fair assumption something was on it's way. I decided to wait it out with the chance it could be several years, I'd already ordered a Core and bought a Rega DAC as a stop gap while I waited, I could have kept using the CDX2 but was keen to get everything ripped and the CDs out of the lunge (to make space for vinyl, something I still haven't managed, though they are all ripped).

If you don't buy a Nova what do you have?

I have a Lyngdorf TDAI-2170 with an Apple TV 4K hooked up at the Moment. That's not the problem, I'm hurrying up with buying into Naim because I have a 100% trade-in deal with my dealer in germany for my Lyngdorf. As we agreed together last year when buying my Lyngdorf, that deal will expire in 05/2018 after High End in Munich 2018 if there will be no announcement for a NAC-N 272 successor until then. I will/have to buy the Nova instead, although I would prefer the NAC-N successor/NAP combination. I can wait for next year but then there will be no 100% trade in for my Lyngdorf anymore.

Ah, not much scope for a piecemeal changeover by the look of it and digital source only. Have you heard the Nova?

Yes I had the Nova some weeks ago for comparison at home. There is another topic here where I did share my experience with the Nova. It sounded more open, more dynamic and more detailed than my TDAI-2170 in a 2.0 configuration, even with the Lyngdorf’s Room Correction „RoomPerfect“ active. The TDAI-2170 was first equal to the Nova by activating my sub for the 2.1 configuration, because the sub integration was better with the TDAI-2170. But w/o sub there was a noticeable difference in clearity and dynamics. I did the comparison 2.0 and 2.1 because I actually want to sell my sub again. I was just a little bit concerned about the 2x80 watts or the amp section of the Nova, because the sound quality decreased a bit at loud volume levels (a volume level of 60 and above) to my ears with my speakers (B&W 804 D3, B&W DB3D Sub).

Since the positiv experiences with the Nova I am thinking about a NAC-N 272 successor combined with a NAP 250/300 DR to make a bigger jump in SQ. The only alternative to the Naim Nova was the new Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 (2x200 watts, 2x 4th generation SHARC processor, etc.) at that moment, but I think that‘s not an option anymore.

Naim have revealed the ND555 because they had to, even if they planned to release a whole range at the same time we’re unlikely to get wind of it unless there’s another slip up but my suspicion is a 272 replacement is a bit further off, I could be wrong. If you have until Munich you can wait it out until then and if nothing comes up buy a Nova and add a 250 to it later if a demo shows it improves the 804s, it might be enough at just that or you wait for the streaming pre and trade the Nova on it. Alternatively look for some speakers better suited to the Nova. (I have no suggestions there.)

Thanks a lot for your advice! I think the B&W 804D3 are a pretty good match for the Nova. It was one of the best systems I've heard so far at this price range. It made me think about selling my sub again, because there was more than enough dynamics in my room. You're right, I think a 272 replacement is a bit futher off - too bad. Probably I will have to buy the Nova first and trade it in for a streaming pre with a 250 DR or 300 DR NAP. Not the best way because of loosing some money, but at least it's a possible way.

I have a Nova with Nap300 while we all wait for the next range of Naim streamers.....worth a demo

Which speaker do you use? Can you please describe the difference in SQ between Nova and Nova/300DR shortly? If I would buy a Nova/300DR first and then replace it with NAC-N/300DR, what interconnect cables do I need ideally not to buy new cables for both options separately?

I’ve not compared the 272 with the Nova directly, though dealers have told me that the former is significantly better. I wouldn’t make the assumption that there will be a replacement for the 272, or better streaming preamps. For the price of a new Nova you should be able to find a used 272 and XPS DR. 

Nigel - completely outside of my field of expertise but surely the pace of Digital change makes an upgrade inevitable - sooner or later?

Regards,

Lindsay

If  you compare a 272/250 which is a few grand more than a Nova...it is much better. If you compare a 272/250 with a Nova/ 250.... it is still better, but not by much to my ears. It’s all about listening and making a choice on what is the best / cost effective stop gap? Until I asked my dealer to put a power amp on a Nova, they had not done that demo themselves, sure they are not alone.

Gazza, and what about your experience with the Nova/300 combi? What cables do you use for connecting Nova to NAP300?

I use the standard interconnect that I had from Nova to 250dr,which was din to the 3pin; which my dealer then reconfigured to din to the twin 3 pin needed for the NAp300. The 300 dr was a big step up, speakers seemed to grow in size, dynamics, pace and timing, and greater insight into recordings. It’s not the route your dealer or others will recommend, but I am having a lot of fun. The new Naim architecture works really well, and will with more firmware get better. Part of the reason I skipped the 272.

The Nova makes a lot of sense as a one box solution. Its blend of performance and facilities and coupled with a decent pair of speakers makes it a killer combination that should keep most happy for a long time. If you want more performance and are happy to continue up the tree then the 272 route seems the better choice.

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Nigel - completely outside of my field of expertise but surely the pace of Digital change makes an upgrade inevitable - sooner or later?

Regards,

Lindsay

The question is whether Naim make any more streaming preamps, or whether the 272 is eventually dropped, like its smaller sibling the 172. To me, streaming preamps are great, but the 272 has sure made the Naim range complicated and I get the feeling that they may be trying to simplify things. That’s why I think buying a Nova and power amp, on the assumption that the 272 will be replaced with a new platform descendent, is risky. 

I tend to agree with HH, it might not get replaced.....too many other products suffered and got dropped.

There is a lot of discussion and, it seems, desire to have other products in the range adopt the Uniti “platform”. I guess the question I have is why? I get it if there is a material benefit / uplift in SQ and performance in doing so but if the upside is considered to be incorporating a more advanced screen / graphics and having access to “Roon” etc then I’m struggling to see to what extent products like the 272 could be improved by doing so. In my experience the thing sounds incredible for its price point, looks great and works almost flawlessly. If someone offered me an upgrade to incorporate a Uniti-like screen and the other gizmos those products have I think I’d pass.

Naim claim to have lowered the noise floor on this architecture to a level where an external power supply is deemed not necessary. So there is interest in what can be achieved without the inevitable compromises of fitting a streamer, dac, preamp and amplifier in a single box. Software fixes and updates are much easier for Naim to deliver and customers to implement. Guess we have to wait a little longer to finally listen to the end product.......but the word from dealer discussions with Naim is it’s very very good.

Hungryhalibut posted:

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Nigel - completely outside of my field of expertise but surely the pace of Digital change makes an upgrade inevitable - sooner or later?

Regards,

Lindsay

The question is whether Naim make any more streaming preamps, or whether the 272 is eventually dropped, like its smaller sibling the 172. To me, streaming preamps are great, but the 272 has sure made the Naim range complicated and I get the feeling that they may be trying to simplify things. That’s why I think buying a Nova and power amp, on the assumption that the 272 will be replaced with a new platform descendent, is risky. 

To me the idea of Nova with a power amp makes zero sense other than as a stepping stone to a more focussed 2 or 3 box system. Why buy a Nova and then effectively throw half of its capabilities away by circumventing its power amp section? A 272 may have the same componentry in its streaming and pre amp sections, but the engineering of the entire 272 box is focussed on making those 2 sections alone work to the best of their ability. I've no experience, but I'd take a punt that a 272 will sound better than a power amp bypassed Nova in the same role. Buy a 272 + power amp. If and when they stop making the 272, buy a used one instead. As HH points out, you could probably get a used XPS thrown in as well for the same cash outlay as a new Nova 

A slightly different argument but listening to the Nova at the Show driving the new stand-mount Kudos Titan 505s (with an Innuos Zenith server thingy) sounded….err…. entirely complete. Certainly no need to add any power amps, pre amps or power supplies. This one-box system (excluding speakers and server) was making some of the best sounds at the show, I kid you not.

That Nova is one superb bit of kit all by itself. If I was starting again and had limits on my budget, I'd just get a Nova. No doubt in my mind.